Khalifa University wraps up their summer school for grade 9 to 12 students

Press release

Published July 16th, 2012 - 08:54 GMT

During the event

Khalifa University wrapped up its summer camp for students from Abu Dhabi schools on Thursday, July 12^th. Twenty boys and girls from grades 9 to 12 attended the camp that started on July 1^st and gave interested students the opportunity to explore science and mathematics related concepts through hands-on engineering activities.

Activities included lectures given by Khalifa University faculty members, as well as, informal discussions on research activities by students and their mentors and interesting scientific experiments in Physics and Chemistry, plus, educational documentaries, guided tours of the Discovery Center, and an introduction to computer programs such as (Adobe Flash, Adobe Photoshop, and Weebly).

“The summer science academy is a new experience here at Khalifa University,” said Taghreed Abushamaleh, a Physics lecturer at Khalifa University. “The participating students came from various backgrounds so we weren’t sure what to expect, but it turned out really well.”

Students were given the opportunity to use various technologies to create engineering solutions to solve challenges given to them. Problem solving, creative thinking, and research will allow students to see the connections in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Each student attended four Physics, Chemistry, Computer and Math sessions plus two sessions at Khalifa University’s Discovery Center.

Ms. Abushamaleh continued, “I really enjoyed sharing the knowledge I have about Physics on all levels, and thankfully our students were really eager to learn, and a joy to work with. I am delighted to be part of this experience, and will be looking forward to doing it again next year.”

Visits to Khalifa University’s Discovery Center offered the students a rare, "behind-the-scenes" glimpse into semiconductors world of high technology.

The students had the opportunity to learn about micro-miniature computer chips, be showered in Binary rain, crack a Binary code and understand what happens when millions of electronic components are packed into quarter-inch squares of silicon and time is measured in billionths of seconds.

“It was interesting,” said Grade 9 student Abdullah Salem, “I really enjoyed learning in English, and learning about various computer programs. Photoshop was the best, but the physics and mathematics were interesting too.”

“Khalifa University is pleased to have hosted this exciting summer camp,” says Senior Vice President of Research and Development and Interim Provost, Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla. “It was wonderful to see the students embrace the opportunity to use our facilities and to be taught by our world class faculty. Khalifa University is dedicated to supporting Abu Dhabi’s 2030 plan, and summer camps like this one help to attract more students to study Science and Engineering.”

Background Information

Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research

The newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) combines the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI), the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) and the Petroleum Institute (PI) into one world-class, research-intensive institution, seamlessly integrating research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering. Khalifa University endeavors to be a leader among research intensive universities of the 21st century, while catalyzing the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy.